Improved apparatus for tanning hides



UNITED STATES PATENT QEEICE.

HENRY LIEBERMANN, OF PADUCAH, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR TO IIIMSELF AND GEORGE ROCK, OF SAME PLACE. i

IMPROVED APPARATUS FORA TANING HIDES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 43,25% dated June 21, 1864.

To all whom it may concern: i

Be it known that I, HENRY LIEBERMANN, of Paducah, in the county of McCracken and State of Kentucky, have invented a new and Improved Apparatus for Tanning Hides and Skins; and I do hereby declare that the following` is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,f0rmin g a part of this specilication, in which- Figure 1 represents a longitudinal vertical section of my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan or top view of the same. Figs. 3 and 4 are detached plan views of the open frames, to which thenhides or skins are secured, in a larger scale than the previous gures.

Similar letters of reference in the several figures indicate corresponding parts.

This invention consists in a platform revolving on the top of a tank or vat containingthe tannin g-liquor, and provided with an open box or framework extending from its lower surface down into said tank or vat, in combina tion with frames on which the hides or skins are stretched in such a manner that by placing said frames with the hides or skins in the open box and imparting to the platform a r0- tary motion the tanning-liquor is brought in intimate contact with all parts of the hides or skins, and the operation of tanning is considerably facilitated.`

It consists, also, in the employment or use of movable baskets in combination with the frames containing the hides or skins and with the revolving platform, open box, and tank or vat, in such a manner that the introduction and removal of the frames containing the hides or skins into and from the tanning-vat can be effected with comparatively little labor and loss of time.

It consists, iinally, in the application of adjustable frames provided with movable bars and arranged in such a manner that each frame is capable of holding two sides of hides or two skins properly stretched, and at such a distance one from the other that the tanningliquor has free access to all their parts, and when the tanning is completed the leather requires no further labor to be straightened or brought in the proper form.

To enable those skilled in the art to make 4and use my invention, I will proceed to describe it.

A represents a vat or cistern, made of wood or dug into the ground, and lined with brick `or other suitable material. This vat is circuence, and gearing into a wheel, C, mounted on the drivin g-shaft, serve to impart to said platform the desired rotary motion.

The center of the platform is perforated with a square aperture, c, which leads down to the open box D, that is rigidly attached to the under surface of said platform, as clearly shown in Fig. l of the drawings. The sides of this box are made of an open frame-work, and it extends down near to the bottom of the tank A. A partition, d, divides the same :'n two distinct compartments, each large enough to receive the baskets E, and it is provided with two wings, d', at its bottom to stir up the tanning material. These baskets are made of timber in an oblong form to fit the partitions of the box D, and they serve to retain the frames E E', to which the hides or skins are secured. The size of these frames varies, as will be readily seen by referring to Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings. The frame E, represented in Fig. 3, is of the same width as the frame E', represented in Fig. 4, but twice its length, so that the former is capable to hold two sides of a hide, and the latter two kip'skins, calf-skins, sheep-skins, or skins of other animals. i i

Each of the frames E E is composed of two distinct parts, which are rmly connected at the corners, and between the two parts of the frame E move the cross-bars e te* and the standard f. The cross-bars e are secured between the longitudinal rails of the frame E, and they form the guides for the slotted bar g, which is retained in the desired position by pins h, passing through one of the cross-bars @,and through one of the end rails of the frame E, and by means of this slotted bar the width of the frame is adjusted to hides of various widths. The length of the frame is adjusted by means of the cross-bar et, which is Vset by means of pins t', passing through the longitudinal rails, and by the standard f, which is adjustable in one of the end rails of the frame E, the front or neck end of the hide is adjusted in the desired position.

The frame E is constructed similar to the frame E, being provided with crossbars c ei, standardj", and slotted bar g', and the skins are fastened to these bars and standards in the manner shown in Fig. 4. The frame E is capable to accommodate two sides of hide, and

the frame E two kip-skins, calfskins, or sheepskins, and to hold such hides or skins at such a distance apart that the tanning-liquor can readily pass through between them and come in contact with every part of them.

After the hides or skins have been properly adjusted on the various frames said frames are placed in the baskets These baskets are placed into the open box D. The tank is illed` with tannin g-liquor,and the platform is started. By the motion of the hides and skins through the liquor the tanning process is considerably facilitated; and, furthermore, by having said hides and skins stretched on frames E E the pores remain open and the tanning-liquor is enabled to penetrate them much quicker than it can in the ordinary method of tanning. By

-means of the timbers composing the open box D the liquor is continually stirred up, and Jfor this'reason tanning materials of any desired description-such as catechu or bark extractcan be used without danger for the leather.

After the operation of tanning is perfected the baskets vare raised out of the tank, the leather is taken off from the frames E E and replaced by a fresh set of hides or skins, and after putting back the baskets into the box D the operation can be continued as before. A suitable slide in the bottom ofthe tank allows of discharging the liquor whenever it may be deemed necessary'.

By this apparatus the operation of tanning hides and skins can be effected with much less labor andinlees time than by the usual method, and a superior leather is the result.

What l claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The platform B, revolving on the top of the tank or vat A, and carrying the open box D, in combination with frames E E', on which the hides or skins are stretched, substantially in the manner and for the purpose shown and described.

2. The employment or use of movable baskets Ef, in combination with frames E E', box D, revolving platform B, and tank A, constructed and operating in the manner and for the purpose substantially as set forth.

3. The frames E E', arranged with crossbars c e* e e/it, longitudinal bars g g', standardsfj", and double side and end rails, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

HENRY LIEBERMANN.

Witnesses:

JAooB BLERICII, D. R. ENDEns. 

